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Conservation Corps Minnesota seeks applicants for field work

Young adults, ages 18 to 25, are encouraged to apply for one of 150 positions available with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa. All projects are completed on public land in cooperation with nonprofit organizations and government agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The priority application deadline is Monday, Dec. 3.

The Conservation Corps is accepting applications for AmeriCorps field crew leader and member positions for the 2013 program year. Positions are available statewide in Minnesota, as well as in central Iowa. These opportunities provide excellent technical field experience and professional certifications for future natural resource careers. Many DNR employees today got their start in natural resources with the Conservation Corps (formerly MCC), where they learned a strong work ethic and a first-hand appreciation of the environment.

Corps members receive on-the-job training in natural resource management and put those skills into practice working in the field. Typical project work includes exotic species management, prairie and oak-savanna restoration, stream bank stabilization, trail building and maintenance, prescribed burning, GPS/GIS mapping and wildland fire suppression. The work is physically challenging and involves camping near the project location about 70 percent of the time.

Crew members receive a living stipend of $1,210 a month ($1,565 a month for crew leaders), health insurance, student loan forbearance during the service term and a post-service AmeriCorps Education Award that may be used for college expenses or to repay qualified student loans.

Applicants should have an interest in working outdoors in a team setting, giving back to their community and exploring professional development opportunities.

To apply for the field crew program, and to view other available AmeriCorps positions with the Conservation Corps, visit conservationcorps.org/apply. For more information, contact Mark van der Linden, recruitment coordinator, at mark@conservationcorps.org or 651-209-9900, ext. 31.